How AI-Powered Security Cameras Are Redefining Urban Safety

Security shapes our decisions. From where we live, where we go on holiday and how we get home at night – security influences us. This feels especially true today. Years of political tensions and social polarization have led thousands of people to protest in the streets, where many escalated into violence and property damage. 

So, understandably, safety is on people’s minds when they leave their homes.

Keeping urban environments safe has always been difficult for security teams. Large crowds, noise, traffic and poor lighting keep officers on their toes. They’re under pressure to spot threats and dismiss false alarms before they cause unnecessary panic. Thankfully, AI-powered security cameras have put security teams in a better position to manage both.

The global AI video surveillance market value reached $3.90 billion in 2024. And it’s projected to grow. While security cameras have always been seen as a necessity, professionals know not all video systems offer the same visibility and features.

SEEING ISN’T BELIEVING: THE FATAL FLAW OF SECURITY CAMERAS

Standard security cameras give security officers the ability to see different views of their surroundings. That’s all. Everything else falls on security teams’ shoulders. They must spot threats, prioritize them and take the right action. And the busier the environment, the harder it becomes.

Looking at screens alone can give you the illusion of being in control of your environment when undetected threats could be escalating under your nose:

• Two people talking might not look concerning, but they could be having an argument that’s about to turn violent.
• A malicious individual could have left a package underneath a bench that’s gone unnoticed among the bustle of a busy train station.
• A known dangerous individual could be in the area but they’ve gone undetected because security officers are focusing on groups of rowdy football fans.

These are nightmare situations for security teams. But they’re a common reality. The reality is that security officers are human; they have a limited capacity to absorb the vast amounts of information that today’s video security systems provide. AI security cameras help reduce that burden, but they are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to creating safer urban areas. 

HOW AI-POWERED SECURITY CAMERAS ARE IMPROVING CITIES’ SAFETY ACROSS THE WORLD

AI-powered security cameras and connected video management systems help security teams get a clearer picture of what’s happening in their environment, no matter how complex. Facial recognition, pattern recognition and behaviour analysis technology help security teams with:

• Vision: AI security cameras assign tags to what they see. People, vehicles, license plates, bags and other objects are labeled immediately. Now, hectic environments are broken down for security teams to get a clearer assessment.

• Behavioural analysis: When paired with robust video software, some AI cameras can detect aggressive or threatening behaviour, loitering and unrecognised vehicles in restricted areas. Crowded environments make these types of threats hard to spot at a quick glance, but a well-designed AI model has  pattern recognition that is effective at detecting them. And it will assign the appropriate tags for security officers to observe. 

• Threat detection: Security teams are alerted when potential threats or anomalies are detected. Some cases will be legitimate, while others will be false alarms. Security officers need to know, either way. Detecting situations too late could lead to a serious incident, whereas overreacting to a false one causes unnecessary panic and disruption.

• Rapid response: Security teams are alerted immediately to potential threats. One benefit of AI cameras is that security alerts can include more information on the type of threat, and integrated video systems can leverage AI analytics to provide more context for the officer. Early detection is everything, giving teams precious time to decide on the correct response. 

• Investigations: Without AI, security officers need to go through hours of CCTV footage to look for people or objects of concern. And in dense urban areas with thousands of cameras, that process could take days or even weeks to complete. It’s a draining process that takes its toll on resources while pulling security officers away from other tasks. AI-powered security camera systems with cloud-based or server-side intelligence give teams the added ability to look for people or objects of concern and collate footage to support investigations in minutes. Time is the most finite resource security officers have, and AI is helping teams get back more of it.

As cities evolve, new types of threats evolve with them. AI security cameras and intelligent video management systems expand security teams’ awareness and give them more time to assess environments and make the best decision. With new advancements in technology, cities can take a more proactive approach to safety and security. Officers can be better placed to prevent crimes, respond faster to emergencies and support their communities when AI cameras and intelligent video analytics are part of their system.

Lawrence Li
Group Product Manager, Fixed Cameras at Motorola Solutions

Lawrence Li is a Group Product Manager for Avigilon at Motorola Solutions, specializing in fixed-camera solutions. With over 12 years of experience, Lawrence has a proven track record of leading product strategy, development and go-to-market execution within the video surveillance industry. He is passionate about building innovative technology with a strong emphasis on customer requirements, developing solutions that effectively address customer needs.